1977–78 Phoenix Suns season

Professional basketball season

NBA professional basketball team season

1977–78 Phoenix Suns season

Head coach| John MacLeod
General manager| Jerry Colangelo
Owners| Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
Arena| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record| 49-33 (.598)
Place| Division: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finish| First round
(lost to Bucks 0–2)

* * *

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television| KTAR-TV
Radio| KTAR
| < 1976–77  | 1978–79 >

|

The 1977–78 Phoenix Suns season was the tenth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The team finished second in a Pacific division that did not have a team finish below .500, as the Suns returned to the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Both Paul Westphal and Walter Davis, a rookie from the University of North Carolina, were selected to participate in the All-Star Game and by the end of the season, both were members of the All-NBA Second Team. Davis became the second Sun in three years to be selected as Rookie of the Year, an award teammate Alvan Adams had collected after the 1975–76 season.

Both Westphal and rookie Davis averaged career-highs in scoring, averaging 25.2 and 24.2 points a game. The combined averaged of 49.4 points made for the league's highest-scoring duo on the season. Additionally, Westphal and Davis broke a franchise record of 45.9 points a game, a mark set by Connie Hawkins and Dick Van Arsdale during the 1969–70 season.

## Offseason

[edit]

### NBA draft

[edit]

Main article: 1977 NBA draft

Round  | Pick  | Player  | Position  | Nationality  | College

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1  | 5  | Walter Davis | Guard  |  United States  | North Carolina
3  | 66  | Mike Bratz | Guard  |  United States  | Stanford
4  | 71  | Greg Griffin  | Forward  |  United States  | Idaho State
5  | 93  | Cecil Rellford  | Forward  |  United States  | St. John's
6  | 115  | Billy McKinney | Guard  |  United States  | Northwestern
7  | 136  | Alvin Scott | Forward  |  United States  | Oral Roberts
8  | 156  | Alvin Joseph  | Center  |  United States  | California-Riverside

The Suns used their first-round pick to select swingman Walter Davis from North Carolina. Davis averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Tar Heels. He would make an immediate impact with the Suns, helping the team make a 15-game improvement and return to the playoffs. Averaging 24.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game his first season, Davis was named Rookie of the Year, receiving 49 1/4 of 66 votes.[1] He would also be named to the All-NBA Second Team, and would finish fifth in Most Valuable Player voting, behind winner Bill Walton, George Gervin, David Thompson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[2] Davis spent his first eleven seasons with the Suns before joining the Denver Nuggets as the league's second unrestricted free agent in 1988. He left as the Suns' all-time leading scorer (15,666 points), and had his #6 jersey retired by the franchise in 1994.

## Roster

[edit]

Phoenix Suns roster

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | # | Name | Height | Weight | DOB (Y-M-D) | From

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C | 33 | Alvan Adams | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)  | 210 lb (95 kg)  | 1954-07-19  | Oklahoma
C | 21 | Dennis Awtrey | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  | 1948-02-22  | Santa Clara
G | 23 | Mike Bratz | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  | 1955-10-17  | Stanford
G | 10 | Don Buse | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1950-08-10  | Evansville
G/F | 6 | Walter Davis | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 193 lb (88 kg)  | 1954-09-09  | North Carolina
C | 35 | Bayard Forrest | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)  | 235 lb (107 kg)  | 1954-07-08  | Grand Canyon
F | 25 | Greg Griffin | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1952-09-06  | Idaho State
F | 24 | Garfield Heard | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)  | 219 lb (99 kg)  | 1948-05-03  | Oklahoma
G | 30 | Ron Lee | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 193 lb (88 kg)  | 1952-11-02  | Oregon
F | 18 | Curtis Perry | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  | 1948-09-13  | Missouri State
F | 14 | Alvin Scott | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  | 1955-09-14  | Oral Roberts
F | 32 | Ira Terrell (IN)  | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  | 1954-06-19  | SMU
G | 44 | Paul Westphal | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 195 lb (88 kg)  | 1950-11-30  | USC

Head coach

* John MacLeod (Bellarmine)

Assistant(s)

* Al Bianchi (Bowling Green)

* * *

Legend

* (DP) Unsigned draft pick
* (FA) Free agent
* (S) Suspended
* Injured

## Regular season

[edit]

### Standings

[edit]

Pacific Division

* v
* t
* e

|  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB  |  Home  |  Road  |  Div

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y-Portland Trail Blazers | 58 | 24 | .707 | – | 36–5 | 22–19 | 13–3
x-Phoenix Suns | 49 | 33 | .598 | 9 | 34–7 | 15–26 | 8–8
x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 11 | 31–10 | 16–25 | 8–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 13 | 29–12 | 16–25 | 6–10
Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 15 | 30–11 | 13–28 | 5–11
#  |

Western Conference

* v
* t
* e

|

Team  |  W  |  L  |  PCT  |  GB
1  | z-Portland Trail Blazers | 58 | 24 | .707 | –
2  | y-Denver Nuggets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 10
3  | x-Phoenix Suns | 49 | 33 | .598 | 9
4  | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 47 | 35 | .573 | 11
5  | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 45 | 37 | .549 | 13
6  | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 44 | 38 | .537 | 14
7  | Golden State Warriors | 43 | 39 | .524 | 15
8  | Chicago Bulls | 40 | 42 | .488 | 18
9  | Detroit Pistons | 38 | 44 | .463 | 20
10  | Indiana Pacers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 27
11  | Kansas City Kings | 31 | 51 | .378 | 27

### Record vs. opponents

[edit]

1977–78 NBA records

Team  | ATL  | BOS  | BUF  | CHI  | CLE  | DEN  | DET  | GSW  | HOU  | IND  | KCK  | LAL  | MIL  | NJN  | NOJ  | NYK  | PHI  | PHO  | POR  | SAS  | SEA  | WAS
Atlanta | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3
Boston | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3
Buffalo | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3
Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1
Cleveland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2
Denver | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1
Detroit | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2
Golden State | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2
Houston | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3
Indiana | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1
Kansas City | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2
Los Angeles | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1
New Jersey | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2
New Orleans | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4
New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2
Philadelphia | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2
Phoenix  | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2
Portland | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1
San Antonio | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 2–2 | 2–2
Seattle | 1–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–3
Washington | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | —

### Game log

[edit]

1977–78 game log
Total: 49–33 (home: 34–7; road: 15–26)

October: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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1  | October 18  | Golden State | W 100–83  | Alvan Adams (27)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,128  | 1–0
2  | October 23  | @ Los Angeles | W 104–101  | Paul Westphal (26)  |  |  | The Forum
10,481  | 2–0
3  | October 25  | Seattle | W 93–86  | Paul Westphal (30)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,917  | 3–0
4  | October 28  | @ New Orleans | L 107–114  | Paul Westphal (23)  |  |  | Louisiana Superdome
10,342  | 3–1
5  | October 29  | @ Houston | L 112–125  | Paul Westphal (28)  |  |  | The Summit
8,557  | 3–2
6  | October 31  | San Antonio | L 143–145  | Paul Westphal (37)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,030  | 3–3

November: 8–4 (home: 6–0; road: 2–4)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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7  | November 3  | @ San Antonio | W 110–89  | Walter Davis (24)  |  |  | HemisFair Arena
8,394  | 4–3
8  | November 4, 1977
6:05 p.m. MST | @ Washington | L 96–113 | Ron Lee (21)  |  |  | Capital Centre
8,742  | 4–4
9  | November 5  | @ Chicago | L 94–111  | Walter Davis (25)  |  |  | Chicago Stadium
13,424  | 4–5
10  | November 10  | New Orleans | W 127–111  | Alvan Adams (35)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,297  | 5–5
11  | November 13  | Indiana | W 116–107  | Ron Lee (24)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,550  | 6–5
12  | November 18  | Chicago | W 103–101  | Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543  | 7–5
13  | November 20  | San Antonio | W 134–112  | Alvan Adams (32)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,677  | 8–5
14  | November 22  | Los Angeles | W 118–107  | Walter Davis (34)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,130  | 9–5
15  | November 24  | @ Cleveland | L 82–97  | Paul Westphal (22)  |  |  | Coliseum at Richfield
15,445  | 9–6
16  | November 25  | @ Indiana | W 118–110  | Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (30)  |  |  | Market Square Arena
15,448  | 10–6
17  | November 27  | Denver | W 115–97  | Paul Westphal (48)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,658  | 11–6
18  | November 29  | @ Portland | L 96–108  | Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)  |  |  | Memorial Coliseum
12,666  | 11–7

December: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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19  | December 2  | Portland | L 103–106  | Paul Westphal (32)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 11–8
20  | December 4  | Atlanta | L 89–96  | Alvan Adams (18)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,577  | 11–9
21  | December 6  | @ Kansas City | W 103–92  | Walter Davis (29)  |  |  | Kemper Arena
5,976  | 12–9
22  | December 7  | @ Detroit | W 113–107 (OT)  | Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (27)  |  |  | Cobo Arena
3,588  | 13–9
23  | December 10  | Houston | W 110–93  | Walter Davis (29)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,761  | 14–9
24  | December 14  | Buffalo | W 113–103  | Paul Westphal (29)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,597  | 15–9
25  | December 16  | @ New Orleans | W 126–113  | Walter Davis (24)  |  |  | Louisiana Superdome
8,172  | 16–9
26  | December 17  | @ Houston | W 101–97  | Paul Westphal (26)  |  |  | The Summit
8,134  | 17–9
27  | December 18  | @ Atlanta | L 129–134 (2OT)  | Walter Davis (33)  |  |  | Omni Coliseum
8,062  | 17–10
28  | December 20  | @ New York | W 110–99  | Paul Westphal (32)  |  |  | Madison Square Garden
13,548  | 18–10
29  | December 21  | @ Philadelphia | L 119–125  | Walter Davis (35)  |  |  | The Spectrum
14,671  | 18–11
30  | December 23  | Boston | W 129–110  | Paul Westphal (19)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 19–11
31  | December 26  | @ Denver | L 108–127  | Walter Davis (23)  |  |  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,297  | 19–12
32  | December 27  | Seattle | W 131–105  | Ron Lee (30)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543  | 20–12
33  | December 29  | Kansas City | W 110–104  | Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (33)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 21–12
34  | December 30  | @ Seattle | L 110–121  | Paul Westphal (32)  |  |  | Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098  | 21–13

January: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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35  | January 3  | @ Milwaukee | W 125–103  | Paul Westphal (34)  |  |  | MECCA Arena
8,571  | 22–13
36  | January 4  | @ New Jersey | L 83–115  | Paul Westphal (21)  |  |  | Rutgers Athletic Center
4,067  | 22–14
37  | January 5  | @ Boston | W 121–111  | Paul Westphal (43)  |  |  | Hartford Civic Center
10,019  | 23–14
38  | January 7  | @ Buffalo | W 107–97  | Paul Westphal (29)  |  |  | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,029  | 24–14
39  | January 11  | New Orleans | W 142–99  | Walter Davis (24)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 25–14
40  | January 13  | Detroit | W 111–100  | Paul Westphal (26)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 26–14
41  | January 15  | Cleveland | W 113–104  | Walter Davis (31)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,787  | 27–14
42  | January 19  | New York | W 134–114  | Paul Westphal (31)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,935  | 28–14
43  | January 20  | @ Golden State | L 104–119  | Walter Davis (31)  |  |  | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,237  | 28–15
44  | January 22, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST | Washington | W 114–101 | Paul Westphal (30)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 29–15
45  | January 25  | Houston | W 118–96  | Paul Westphal (25)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,277  | 30–15
46  | January 27  | Philadelphia | W 110–101  | Walter Davis (29)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 31–15
47  | January 29  | New Jersey | W 131–100  | Bayard Forrest (23)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,327  | 32–15
48  | January 31  | @ Kansas City | W 112–102  | Walter Davis (21)  |  |  | Omaha Civic Auditorium
5,182  | 33–15

February: 5–8 (home: 4–1; road: 1–7)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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49  | February 1  | @ Detroit | L 120–127  | Walter Davis (26)  |  |  | Cobo Arena
5,143  | 33–16
50  | February 3  | Milwaukee | W 115–105  | Walter Davis (30)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 34–16
All-Star Break
51  | February 9  | Atlanta | W 125–98  | Walter Davis (28)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,877  | 35–16
52  | February 12, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST | Washington | W 121–109 | Paul Westphal (43)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,467  | 36–16
53  | February 14  | @ Portland | L 100–113  | Walter Davis (39)  |  |  | Memorial Coliseum
12,666  | 36–17
54  | February 16  | Boston | L 95–98  | Walter Davis (27)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 36–18
55  | February 17  | @ Golden State | L 92–111  | Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (16)  |  |  | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,185  | 36–19
56  | February 18  | Indiana | W 114–101  | Paul Westphal (26)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 37–19
57  | February 21  | @ Buffalo | W 114–111  | Walter Davis (32)  |  |  | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
4,409  | 38–19
58  | February 22  | @ Atlanta | L 95–107  | Paul Westphal (37)  |  |  | Charlotte Coliseum
5,843  | 38–20
59  | February 24, 1978
6:05 p.m. MST | @ Washington | L 120–121 (OT) | Paul Westphal (35)  |  |  | Capital Centre
12,432  | 38–21
60  | February 25  | @ New York | L 115–122  | Paul Westphal (27)  |  |  | Madison Square Garden
17,197  | 38–22
61  | February 28  | @ Chicago | L 115–126  | Walter Davis (36)  |  |  | Chicago Stadium
14,713  | 38–23

March: 9–7 (home: 7–2; road: 2–5)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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62  | March 1  | Detroit | L 102–115  | Paul Westphal (24)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,161  | 38–24
63  | March 3  | Milwaukee | W 132–126  | Paul Westphal (31)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,139  | 39–24
64  | March 5  | Philadelphia | L 92–104  | Walter Davis (25)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,145  | 39–25
65  | March 7  | @ Denver | W 126–112  | Walter Davis (34)  |  |  | McNichols Sports Arena
17,428  | 40–25
66  | March 9  | Chicago | W 112–103  | Paul Westphal (34)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,748  | 41–25
67  | March 11  | Los Angeles | W 120–114  | Walter Davis (34)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 42–25
68  | March 12  | @ Los Angeles | L 112–128  | Paul Westphal (29)  |  |  | The Forum
17,505  | 42–26
69  | March 14  | @ Milwaukee | L 106–121  | Walter Davis (38)  |  |  | MECCA Arena
10,938  | 42–27
70  | March 15  | @ New Jersey | L 98–117  | Alvan Adams (21)  |  |  | Rutgers Athletic Center
4,260  | 42–28
71  | March 17  | @ Boston | L 108–115  | Paul Westphal (24)  |  |  | Boston Garden
15,276  | 42–29
72  | March 19  | @ Cleveland | W 123–112  | Paul Westphal (39)  |  |  | Coliseum at Richfield
15,622  | 43–29
73  | March 21  | @ Indiana | L 115–119  | Walter Davis (27)  |  |  | Market Square Arena
10,633  | 43–30
74  | March 23  | New York | W 120–108  | Walter Davis (29)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 44–30
75  | March 25  | Buffalo | W 112–106  | Alvan Adams (27)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,642  | 45–30
76  | March 29  | Portland | W 127–94  | Paul Westphal (33)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 46–30
77  | March 31  | Kansas City | W 136–112  | Paul Westphal (35)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,590  | 47–30

April: 2–3 (home: 2–1; road: 0–2)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Record

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78  | April 2  | Golden State | W 105–99  | Paul Westphal (27)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,040  | 48–30
79  | April 4  | @ San Antonio | L 119–125  | Walter Davis (35)  |  |  | HemisFair Arena
9,112  | 48–31
80  | April 6  | Denver | L 105–111  | Walter Davis (29)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660  | 48–32
81  | April 7  | @ Seattle | L 83–95  | Paul Westphal (16)  |  |  | Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098  | 48–33
82  | April 8  | New Jersey | W 120–109  | Paul Westphal (26)  |  |  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,226  | 49–33

1977–78 schedule

## Playoffs

[edit]

### Game log

[edit]

1978 playoff game log

First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)

| Game | Date | Team | Score | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Location
Attendance | Series

|
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|
|
|
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|

1  | April 11  | Milwaukee | L 103–111 | Walter Davis (31)  | Alvan Adams (9)  | Paul Westphal (9)  | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,161  | 0–1
2  | April 14  | @ Milwaukee | L 90–94 | Paul Westphal (32)  | Walter Davis (9)  | Paul Westphal (10)  | MECCA Arena
10,938  | 0–2

1978 schedule

## Awards and honors

[edit]

### All-Star

[edit]

* Paul Westphal was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished second in voting among Western Conference guards with 264,006 votes.
* Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection.

### Season

[edit]

* Walter Davis received the Rookie of the Year Award.
* Paul Westphal was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Westphal also finished sixth in MVP voting.
* Walter Davis was named to the All-NBA Second Team. Davis also finished fifth in MVP voting.
* Don Buse was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
* Walter Davis was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
* Ron Lee led the league in steals per game with a 2.74 average, and total steals with 225.

## Player statistics

[edit]

Legend

GP  | Games played  |  GS  | Games started  |  MPG | Minutes per game
FG% | Field-goal percentage  |  FT% | Free-throw percentage  |  RPG | Rebounds per game
APG | Assists per game  |  SPG | Steals per game  |  BPG | Blocks per game
PPG | Points per game

### Season

[edit]

Player  | GP  | GS  | MPG  | FG%  | FT%  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PPG

|
|
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Alvan Adams | 70 | 49 | 27.3 | .485 | .730 | 8.1 | 3.2 | 1.2 | .9 | 15.5
Dennis Awtrey | 81 | 34 | 20.0 | .424 | .633 | 3.7 | 2.0 | .2 | .3 | 3.6
Mike Bratz | 80 | 0 | 11.7 | .403 | .824 | 1.4 | 1.5 | .5 | .1 | 4.7
Don Buse | 82 | 82 | 31.1 | .458 | .824 | 3.0 | 4.8 | 2.3 | .2 | 8.4
Walter Davis | 81 | 81 | 32.0 | .526 | .830 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 1.4 | .2 | 24.2
Bayard Forrest | 64 | 0 | 13.9 | .466 | .476 | 3.9 | 2.0 | .4 | .5 | 4.2
Greg Griffin | 36 | 0 | 11.7 | .361 | .639 | 2.9 | 0.7 | .4 | .0 | 4.0
Garfield Heard | 80 | 73 | 26.2 | .424 | .612 | 8.2 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 7.8
Ron Lee | 82 | 2 | 23.5 | .439 | .746 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 2.7 | .2 | 12.2
Curtis Perry | 45 | 4 | 18.2 | .453 | .785 | 5.6 | 1.1 | .8 | .5 | 6.0
Alvin Scott | 81 | 5 | 19.0 | .488 | .691 | 4.4 | 1.1 | .6 | .5 | 6.1
Paul Westphal | 80 | 80 | 31.0 | .516 | .813 | 2.1 | 5.5 | 1.7 | .4 | 25.2

### Playoffs

[edit]

Player  | GP  | GS  | MPG  | FG%  | FT%  | RPG  | APG  | SPG  | BPG  | PPG

|
|
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Alvan Adams | 2 | 2 | 35.5 | .455 | 1.000 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .5 | 16.0
Dennis Awtrey | 2 | 0 | 12.0 | .250 | 1.000 | 1.0 | 1.5 | .5 | .0 | 1.5
Mike Bratz | 2 | 0 | 4.5 | .200 | . | 0.0 | 0.5 | .0 | .0 | 1.0
Don Buse | 2 | 2 | 38.0 | .364 | . | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | .0 | 4.0
Walter Davis | 2 | 2 | 33.0 | .475 | .750 | 8.5 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .0 | 25.0
Bayard Forrest | 1 | 0 | 3.0 | 1.000 | . | 0.0 | 0.0 | .0 | .0 | 2.0
Greg Griffin | 2 | 0 | 12.5 | .429 | . | 2.0 | 1.5 | .5 | .5 | 3.0
Garfield Heard | 2 | 2 | 31.0 | .353 | .500 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 6.5
Ron Lee | 2 | 0 | 20.5 | .313 | 1.000 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | .0 | 6.0
Alvin Scott | 2 | 0 | 18.5 | .500 | .833 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .0 | 6.5
Paul Westphal | 2 | 2 | 33.0 | .468 | .889 | 3.0 | 9.5 | .5 | .0 | 26.0

## Transactions

[edit]

### Trades

[edit]

July 15, 1977  | To Portland Trail Blazers

* * *

Dale Schlueter | To Phoenix Suns

* * *

1978 fourth-round draft pick ( Wayne Smith)

|
|

September 6, 1977  | To Indiana Pacers

* * *

Ricky Sobers | To Phoenix Suns

* * *

Don Buse

### Free agents

[edit]

#### Additions

[edit]

Date  | Player  | Contract  | Old Team

|
|
|

July 23, 1977  | Freeman Blade  | Undisclosed  |
February 16, 1978  | Greg Griffin  | Undisclosed  | Phoenix Suns

#### Subtractions

[edit]

Date  | Player  | Reason Left  | New Team

|
|
|

April 10, 1977  | Tom Van Arsdale | Retired  |
May 12, 1977  | Dick Van Arsdale | Retired  |
June 6, 1977  | Keith Erickson | Retired  |
August 23, 1977  | Billy McKinney | Waived  | Kansas City Kings
October 17, 1977  | Freeman Blade  | Waived  |
October 17, 1977  | Butch Feher  | Waived  |
November 14, 1977  | Greg Griffin  | Waived  | Phoenix Suns

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Suns' Walter Davis Named NBA Rookie of the Year". nba.com/history.
2. ^ "1977–78 NBA Awards Voting". basketball-reference.com.

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* v
* t
* e

1977–78 NBA season by team

* 1977 NBA draft
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals
* Transactions

Eastern|

| Atlantic|

* Boston
* Buffalo
* New Jersey
* New York
* Philadelphia

|

Central|

* Atlanta
* Cleveland
* Houston
* New Orleans
* San Antonio
* Washington

Western|

| Midwest|

* Chicago
* Denver
* Detroit
* Indiana
* Kansas City
* Milwaukee

|

Pacific|

* Golden State
* Los Angeles
* Phoenix
* Portland
* Seattle

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[ W ]: Games won
*[ L ]: Games lost
*[ PCT ]: Winning percentage
*[ GB ]: Games behind
*[ Home ]: Home record
*[ Road ]: Road record
*[ Div ]: Division record